Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Dumaguete City
CAMANJAC NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Camanjac, Dumaguete City

MATHEMATICS 8
Quarter 1 (Week 3, Module 3)
GERALD M. PALOMAR
Grade 8 Mathematics Teacher
 Code:
Learning Competency
M8AL-Ic-1 ILLUSTRATING 3
RATIONAL
ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSIONS

CONCEPT Any algebraic expression, that is a quotient of two other

algebraic expressions, is called a rational algebraic expression.
Thus if P and Q are algebraic expressions and Q 0 then the

expression is called a rational algebraic expression. We say

that a rational algebraic expression is meaningless for those

values of the variable for which the denominator Q is zero. For
instance, if the denominator is zero, the expression will be
undefined. Hence, for an algebraic expression to be rational,
the denominator should not be equal to zero.

Definition of Terms

Illustrate – To clarify something using examples, illustrations, pictures, etc.

Polynomials – A polynomial can have constants (like 4), variables (like x or
y) and exponents (like the 2 in y2), that can be combined using addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division, but: There should be no division by a
variable, a variable's exponents can only be 0,1,2, 3... etc. and not an
infinite number of terms.
Variable – A variable is any letter in the alphabet that represents a specific
value.
Exponent – A quantity representing the power to which a given number or
expression is to be raised, usually expressed as a raised symbol beside the
number or expression (e.g. 3 in 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2).
Algebraic Expression – Algebraic expression is a mathematical expression that
is composed of letters (called variables), numbers and operations.
Numerator – In a fraction, the numerator is the top part that denotes the
number of parts of a whole.
Denominator – In a fraction, the denominator is the bottom part that
signifies the number of parts the whole is divided into.
How to Determine Rational Algebraic Expressions?

The quotient of two polynomials is a rational expression. The denominator of

a rational expression can never have a zero value. The following are

examples of rational expressions:

The last example, 6 x + 5, could be expressed as

. Therefore, it satisfies the definition of a rational

expression.

Take a look on the following examples of Rational Algebraic Expressions:

What expressions are considered Not Rational Algebraic Expressions?

Those expressions with literal coefficient(s) raised to negative exponent(s)

and are inside the radical sign, are not considered rational algebraic
expressions.

The following are examples of not Rational Algebraic Expressions:

 Code:
M8AL-Ic-2 Learning Competency
SIMPLIFYING 4
RATIONAL
ALGEBRAIC
EXPRESSIONS

In mathematics, to simplify a Rational Algebraic Expression is reducing the

CONCEPT expression to its simplest form or lowest term. You can only conclude that a
Rational Algebraic Expression is in its simplest form when both the numerator
and the denominator do not have a common factor other than 1.

Steps in simplifying Rational Algebraic Expressions

Here are the steps required for Simplifying Rational Expressions:

Step 1: Factor both the numerator and denominator of the fraction.

Remember to write the expressions in descending order, to factor out a
negative number if the leading coefficient is a negative number, and use
various factoring techniques to factor each expression.
Step 2: Reduce the fraction. To reduce the fraction, cancel out
expressions in the numerator and denominator that are exactly the
same.
Step 3: Rewrite any remaining expressions in the numerator and
denominator.

Illustrative Examples:

1. Simplify:

Step 1: Factor both the numerator and denominator

of the fraction.
Step 2: Reduce the fraction.

Step 3: Rewrite any remaining expressions in

the numerator and denominator. Simplest Form
 2. Simplify:

Step 1: Factor both the numerator and denominator

of the fraction.
Step 2: Reduce the fraction.

Step 3: Rewrite any remaining expressions in

the numerator and denominator.

Simplest Form

3. Simplify:

Step 1: Factor both the numerator and denominator

of the fraction.
Step 2: Reduce the fraction.

Step 3: Rewrite any remaining expressions in

the numerator and denominator.
Simplest Form

4. Simplify:

Step 1: Factor both the numerator and denominator

of the fraction.
Step 2: Reduce the fraction.

Step 3: Rewrite any remaining expressions in

the numerator and denominator.

Simplest Form
 Name:
Section: Score:

Skill: Classifying Rational Algebraic Expressions from Not Rational Algebraic

Expressions.

Instruction(s): From the number of expressions contained in the box, classify

the expressions which are Rational Algebraic by placing them in the first
column and determine the expressions which are Not Rational Algebraic by
placing them in the second column.

Rational Algebraic Expressions Not Rational

Algebraic
Expressions
 Name:
Section: Score:

Skill: Identifying Rational Algebraic Expressions.

Instruction(s): Put a check mark (✔) on the 3rd column if the expression given
is a Rational Algebraic Expressions and a wrong mark (✘) if otherwise.

# Mathematical Expressions Marks (✔ or ✘ )

1
2 x−2−2 y+ 3

2
x+2 y
√ xyz

3
13 x 3 y 2−5 x 2 y + x−3

4
1
5
2 ab c −3 av

5
4 m 4−16 n 6

6
l−m+ n
2l −2m 2 +5 n−4
3

7
5 w 8+ 2 x 7 +3

8
x +1

9
1
2
25 h −i −4

10
d √ x−2 y
3≝−2 ef +2 f
 Name:
Section: Score:

Skill: Simplifying Rational Algebraic Expressions

Instruction(s): Simplify the following Rational Algebraic Expressions.

mn
1. n 4x  4
4. 5  5x
n2
Solution: Solution:

2m2  4mn  2n2 2s 2  11s  12

2.
2m  2n
2 2 5.
8s 3  27
Solution: Solution:

16a3  2
3.
4a2  4a 1 16l 4 m 3 n 2 p
6.
32l 5mn3 p5
Solution: Solution:
 Name:
Section: Score:

Skill: Simplifying Rational Algebraic Expressions.

Instruction(s): Assess the following Rational Algebraic Expressions if they are

already in their simplest form. If they are not yet reduced to its lowest term,
simplify them and show your solution.

Solution: Solution:

Solution: Solution:

Solution: Solution: